Click here to view photos from Homecoming Weekend | Click here to watch the Homecoming Pep Rally.

The Viking spirit proved to be stronger than any rainfall. Despite uncooperative weather, Homecoming 2023 at King School was a Viking-sized celebration, complete with school spirit, alumni pride, and community fun.

"Our theme for the year is ‘Living With Purpose,’ and Homecoming is one of our most purposeful community gatherings at King. The event fosters a sense of belonging and provides an opportunity to give back to our community,” said Head of School Carol Maoz. “It is wonderful to see all of our Vikings come together to celebrate our school and to welcome our alumni back home!"
 

The festivities kicked off on Friday, October 20, with a pep rally in the upper school gymnasium, where students, faculty, and staff cheered on the upper school athletic teams and the Lower School Spirit Squad.

“It's been really, really fun. We really like seeing all the King spirit and everyone show up for the biggest event of the year,” said Carolina Frisoli ’24.

“There are a lot of people, and all wearing King Pride – so exciting!” said Kalyan Pelletier ’29.
 

The upper school chorus got everyone singing with a spirited performance of the national anthem, and the teams pumped up the crowd with their dance routines and cheers.

On Friday evening, alumni from classes spanning 1973-2021 gathered for a welcome-back reception at the Performing Arts Center. They enjoyed mixing and mingling with former classmates and teachers.

Saturday was a day filled with activities for the entire King family. There was a bake sale, giant inflatable slides and bounce houses, caricaturists, balloon artists, a live DJ, and more!
 

The face painting station was a hit. “It's really fun. I enjoy it so much,” said Beyah Garcia ’33, sporting a butterfly-like design around her eyes. Cecilia Bellmare ’33 agreed: “I like the face painting, and I love everything technically.”

Food trucks offered a variety of delicious options, and the Parents' Association bake sale was there to delight those with a sweet tooth.

“Homecoming is the biggest, brightest, rain or shine community event that we have; it literally brings out everybody. Kids, parents, grandparents, pets, everybody, and it is just beautiful to see the community at its best with the athletic games, the performing arts, the bake sale, we have our Viking pride. It's just a really great day to be a Viking!” said Sandy Burgoyne P’27, President of the Parents’ Association.
 

“I love the energy. Everybody's happy, vibrant, and excited for the games,” said Daniel Knijnik P’31, ’32, a member of the Board of Trustees. His daughter, Julia, a dedicated modern and jazz dancer, was about to grace the football game's halftime show as a member of the Spirit Squad. “It’s a little scary,” Julia said. But upon second thought, she added. “I performed it at the pep rally, so it's not super intimidating.”

Orna Gusinski P’29 appreciates King’s tight-knit community, especially her fellow Grade 7 parents. “It's very supportive, very inclusive,” she said. “We are growing up together, and they are really helpful.”
 

The day brought together students, parents, and alumni, as well as new and longtime educators.

Cathy Mishkin started at Low-Heywood Thomas in 1976 and taught performing arts, history, and social science until 2019. A beloved teacher, she is a regular presence on campus and has attended Homecoming every year since she first joined the community.

“It's just a wonderful feeling to be back home and to see people that you worked with and students that you taught and share memories. It's the legacy; it's such a good feeling that things are still going on, and they’re even stronger than they were,” said Mishkin.
 

Math Department Chair and teacher Victoria Khiznichenko has been touching the lives of Vikings for 25 years. “I just saw one of my former honor students, and he’s a junior at Boston College. He said, ‘I’m a math major.’ That made my day!”

Reconnecting, reminiscing, and celebrating their 35th reunion were Pamela Sparkman LHT’88 and Erin Shaw LHT’88.

“It's really special…I came to the cocktail party last night. There were people from other grades that we interacted with and caught up and laughed with. It's just a really good time,” said Sparkman.
 

“It's something that I could have never imagined when I was a junior or a senior, coming to this point in life and coming back on campus and really enjoying those special connections with friends and former faculty and people who are currently attending,” added Shaw.

Also celebrating the same milestone was Matthew Dorf K‘88. “It's a lot of fun to be back!”

Attendees were delighted with performances from the strings ensemble, the middle school intermediate and advanced bands, as well as the chamber orchestra and the upper school advanced band. Choir singers sang the national anthem before games. The Rhapsody Ensemble from Project Music joined the middle school bands for a couple of songs. Rhapsody Ensemble is made up of second-year winds and brass students in Grades 4-6.
 

“I am excited to have instrumental ensembles from both Middle and Upper Schools help enrich the spirit of Homecoming,” said Performing Arts Chair Garrett Mendez.

There to enjoy the music was Justin Martinelli ’28. His day of fun was just getting started. “I like to ​​listen to all the people play their instruments, and we're gonna probably go watch the games.”

King athletes gave their all in a variety of games, and the campus was bustling with activities all day long.
 

“Homecoming weekend was a true showing of the strength and power of the King community!” said Dean of Athletics Micah Hauben. “Viking Pride was on full display from start to finish.”

On the sidelines of a high-energy volleyball game was middle school English teacher Jordan Rochelson, who joined King this year and was experiencing Homecoming for the first time. “It's so exciting. There's so much enthusiasm in the air and community feeling; it's clear that everyone that's here cares about being here,” said Rochelson.
 

“We always feel so supported, whether it's us playing or whether we're cheering on our friends. There's always such a great sense of community,” said volleyball player Mia Lynn ’24.

Supporting the soccer team were Dylan J. Schmitke and Will Anderson, both recent graduates from the Class of 2023. “I like being here; being back here brings a lot of memories as well, like watching this soccer team makes me want to get on the field and play,” said Schmitke, now attending University of Connecticut.

Schmitke acknowledged the support and encouragement he received from his teachers during his time at King. “I think King prepared me really well. The teachers were super supportive.”
 

Anderson, in his first year at Providence College, said he also felt well prepared as he settled into a new chapter of his academic journey. “I got to college and was able to settle in. I didn't feel overwhelmed.” Favorite teacher? “Miss O'Toole,” said Anderson, referring to math teacher Sara O’Toole. “Very fun class. She made it really interesting.”

A special golden reunion dinner took place at the Italian Center of Stamford, located next door to King School's campus. The occasion honored the King, Low-Heywood, and Thomas Schools Classes of 1973.
 

“We're celebrating our 50th reunion,” said Michael Luery K ’73, who flew from Sacramento, California, for Homecoming. “That's a big deal; it’s been half a century, and we're still here! That's a good thing, and it's just great to see everybody again, and brings back a lot of memories, a lot of good times.”
 

Some of those memories included former King teacher Aaron “Woody” Hess, “He was an inspiration to me,” said Luery. “He was somebody you could talk to, someone you could relate to, and he always had time to give you some guidance and advice; just a wonderful inspiration.”

Alumni for classes ending in 3 and 8 also gathered around different venues in Stamford.
 

 

Lauren Bellmare KLHT’03, P’33, 36, eagerly anticipated hosting her fellow classmates that evening. “I'm ready for my 20th-year reunion tonight. I'm really excited to see my classmates and to tell them about all the positive changes at the school and how it's such an exciting place,” said Bellmare, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees.

On Sunday morning, the annual King Cares 5K concluded Homecoming weekend with a large turnout.
 

Over 100 runners were cheered through the windy race, which spans across King’s campus, by community members and race volunteers. The funds raised from the event will go to the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford and the Orphaned Starfish Foundation.

“It was exciting to see returning participants and to welcome so many new runners and walkers of all ages,” said Karen Raidt, Director of King Cares Service. “The increase in participation each year is a testament to the work of the upper school student-athletes, leaders, and club members. The awareness of and support they are providing for King's partner organizations is tremendous,” Raidt added.

King School is very grateful to the Parents' Association members for their dedication, time, and effort in making the 2023 Homecoming Weekend a great success. Their responsibilities included managing the School Store, coaching the Spirit Squad, and baking and selling delicious treats. Kudos also to the King School staff who helped organize this community event.

Homecoming 2023 was a truly special event that brought the Viking community together to celebrate the school's history and spirit. It was a weekend filled with fun, laughter, community spirit, and a true sense of belonging.